Likud Demands Netanyahu Trial Halt, Cites Ex-AG's Testimony

The Likud party on Sunday demanded an immediate halt to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's corruption trial, following testimony from former Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit. The party also called for a criminal investigation into senior officials involved in the investigations and indictments. Concurrently, Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana urged President Isaac Herzog to grant Netanyahu's pardon request, stating that "the facts revealed are enough to decide on the request."

Mandelblit testified as a defense witness in the "Cases of the Thousand" trial, where he acknowledged that some investigative actions, including serious ones, were not approved by him. He clarified that he did not intend to approve every action and requested that key steps be brought to his attention due to the sensitivity of investigating a prime minister. Likud claimed the trial is a "witch hunt" aimed at toppling a strong right-wing leader, accusing those involved in the investigation of subjecting Netanyahu and his family to years of suffering. The party asserted that the proceedings led to five national elections, costing billions that could have aided reservists and peripheral communities.

Likud further alleged that Mandelblit did not review all evidence and provided a scanned signature for the indictment while Netanyahu was representing Israel at the White House. "They tried to achieve through improper means what they could not achieve at the ballot box," the party stated. Likud demanded the trial's immediate closure after Mandelblit's testimony, calling the indictments "illegally fabricated cases." They also called for criminal investigations against Mandelblit, Shai Nitzan, Judith Tirosh, Liat Ben Ari, Roni Alsheich, and other investigators, whom they accused of acting unlawfully.

Ohana, present at the court, wrote to Herzog that he was "shocked to discover from the former AG's testimony that even the remaining charges are based on illegal investigative actions conducted without his knowledge or approval." He also claimed Mandelblit did not read the allegations regarding 315 instances of positive coverage in the amended indictment and did not recall signing it himself. Ohana cited the judges' alleged twice-offered suggestion to the prosecution to withdraw the bribery charge as evidence that bribery was not established, arguing the revealed conduct necessitates a pardon.

Mandelblit, called to testify for seven days, stated that while he did not approve every investigative action, it was acceptable for police to conduct operations. He explained that in this case, he requested the main actions be presented and approved by him due to the case's sensitivity, even though not legally required. He described the police as "galloping horses" and the prosecution as tending towards severity, with his role being to restrain. He emphasized the need to investigate suspicions against a prime minister while preserving his status and dignity, avoiding undue political or מדיני (state affairs) influence.